Moses Lake, Washington — 

Even though it’s mid-winter and the fog is chilling, there is a lot of activity at two construction sites in Moses Lake, located in east Washington state. A large number of workers are working on a tight schedule to finish two new factories, which are set to start producing next-generation parts for electric vehicle batteries in the near future.

Two American companies, supported by $100 million in government funding each and commercial collaborations, are competing to establish a secure domestic supply chain for the production of advanced battery materials for electric vehicle manufacturers.

Nik Anderson, the director of program management at Group 14 Technologies, describes the wide range of applications for their battery technology. This includes electric vehicles, IoT devices, smartphones, wearables, and potentially other uses that have not yet been discovered. As he guides us through the company’s expansive construction site, Anderson emphasizes the versatility and potential impact of their product.

Washington intends to prohibit the sale of new gasoline-fueled cars in the year 2035, joining other states in the US.

Currently, 8.6% of new cars sold in the United States are electric. Experts believe that in order for electric vehicles to become more affordable, there needs to be a substantial increase in domestic battery production. The Biden administration has stated that both affordable electric vehicles and a dependable supply chain would require a significant expansion of domestic battery production and the establishment of a national charging infrastructure.

After reaching full capacity, the factories owned by both companies in Moses Lake will have the capability to manufacture materials for approximately 400,000 electric cars per year.

The company also guarantees a more efficient battery that will alleviate concerns about running out of charge in electric cars. This will be achieved by replacing the graphite in standard lithium-ion batteries with silicon-based materials, enabling a quicker charging time.

Grant Ray, Group 14’s vice president for global market strategy, stated that the use of SCC55 (silicon-carbon composite) in our battery sets it apart from traditional graphite batteries. This is due to its ability to have up to 50% higher energy density and enable rapid charging.

“When considering charging times, currently it is advertised as taking ten minutes to go from 10% to 80%. But what if that changes and it only takes five minutes? This brings it closer to the time it takes to refuel a car,” he stated.

According to Daniel Schwartz, the director of the Clean Energy Institute at the University of Washington, using silicon-based components can help address some of the challenges faced by traditional lithium-ion batteries in U.S. electric vehicle production, such as the reliance on imports.

“The main mineral utilized in Moses Lake is sand, specifically silica, which is the most prevalent mineral found in the Earth’s crust. Graphite has lower capabilities and as a nation, we are vulnerable to trade exposure,” stated the speaker.

The Biden government has put resources into manufacturing electric vehicle batteries within the country as a key aspect of its ambitious plan for promoting clean energy. However, many Republican candidates for president do not see the need for widespread adoption of EVs, with former President Donald Trump even dismissing it as a false notion of an “all-electric car.”

In September of last year, during a rally in Clinton Township, Michigan, Trump addressed a large crowd and referred to prioritizing electric vehicles as a “pathway to destruction.” He warned auto workers that Democrats aim to switch entirely to electric vehicles, which would result in job loss.

According to Gene Berdichevsky, the CEO of Sila Nanotechnologies, the second company aiming to produce components for electric vehicle batteries in Moses Lake, the shift towards electric vehicles will occur regardless of whether the U.S. is leading the way or not.

According to him, renewable energy sources and batteries will be the foundation of energy in the 21st century. It is crucial for the United States to have the ability to produce batteries. However, catching up to the top producers in Asia will be difficult. Therefore, the solution is not to replicate their methods, but to develop the next level of battery technologies.

In the small town of Moses Lake, with a population of approximately 25,000 and located an hour and a half away from the nearest city, it is uncommon to see all-electric cars. However, Berdichevsky believes that the adoption of EVs in this area is inevitable.

“We must acknowledge that consumers desire options, and there will be some who prefer electric cars with a range of 500 miles,” he explains. “To accommodate this demand, we need to expand the selection available to customers, and the means to achieve this is through advancements in battery technology.”

Rosendo Alvarado, originally from Moses Lake, accepted a position as a plant manager at Sila Nanotechnologies. He believes that the small town has become an appealing location for EV production due to a combination of factors, including inexpensive hydroelectricity from nearby dams, established manufacturing facilities, and established companies like REC Silicon that may potentially collaborate in the production of EV batteries. Additionally, the clean energy initiatives adopted by Washington state have also contributed to the town’s attractiveness.

The state-of-the-art sector guarantees to create numerous employment opportunities in Moses Lake. Alvarado explains that he has witnessed the town’s evolution from a traditional farming region to an industrial hub and anticipates even more transformations.

“I remember working on the land where this building stands today,” he reminisces. “It has been a fast-paced and exhilarating experience – the possibilities we can offer to the community and the electric vehicle market.”

He explains that the businesses have collaborated with the nearby Columbia Basin Technical School and Big Bend Community College to create job opportunities for students while still in high school.

“It’s a close-knit community, you know? Like, everyone knows each other,” replies Nicholas Cruz, a recent graduate, as he walks down the main street of Moses Lake with his friend. He was asked about the upcoming EV projects coming to their town.

“It will be an exciting experience, with an increase in job opportunities and new prospects to explore. Due to the small size of Moses Lake, there may not have been many options before. I am uncertain about the potential impact on me personally – only time will reveal,” he stated.

Source: voanews.com